Primal Kill (The Order of Vampires #5)

Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

A driel placed a flat hand on her stomach as nerves twisted at her insides. Her heart hadn’t stopped racing since Juniper collapsed. She couldn’t stop replaying the incident in her mind, and the longer she remained unconscious, the more she feared her friend had pushed herself too far.

“June, please wake up.” She dabbed the damp cloth over her pale face.

As an immortal, she rarely saw others taken down by illness. She knew nothing of medicine and felt inept at curing whatever ailed her.

Everything inside of her insisted she fix her friend, so it made no sense why she was suddenly standing at the window, daydreaming and taking in the view. She looked back at Juniper, taking a step then pausing. Once again lured to the view.

She had the strangest urge to walk outside and stare at the house .

“Adriel, what are you doing?”

Startled by Dane’s return, she frowned. “I…I don’t know.” Her gaze dropped to the bottle of pills in his hand. “Did you find something?”

“Not really. All Ruth had were some baby aspirins and some medicine for her glaucoma and blood pressure.”

“Is this normal?”

He laughed without humor. “None of this is normal, but I think it’s clear, neither is Juniper. I think we need to just give her time. Her pulse is steady, and her breathing’s even. She probably just over-exerted herself.”

“We shouldn’t have encouraged her.”

He caught her arm. “Hey, she’s strong. And she volunteered for this. We both did.”

They both studied Juniper’s still body for a long moment. “You too are risking too much.”

Dane waved away her words. “You know what would probably help her?”

Adriel met his stare. “Not without her consent.”

He shrugged. “I’m just saying…blood heals.”

“I understand. But I still think we should wait a little longer. She will wake up on her own, and then she can choose.”

“I’ll go check on Ruth. Call me if you need anything.”

Adriel paced between the bed and the window, equally drawn to both. She stared into the distance where the Finger Lakes divided the land, taking note of exactly which side of the water the house sat.

She frowned and glanced back to Juniper. What was she doing?

Returning to Juniper’s side, she traced a cool finger down her face. A small divot formed between her brows, and she moaned, her lashes softly fluttering as she met Adriel’s concerned stare.

She smiled, frowned, then asked groggily, “Did you eat the spaghetti without me?”

Relief flooded Adriel, and she let out a sigh of relief. “You’re awake.”

“What happened?”

“You fainted.”

Juniper groaned and shut her eyes. “I suck at this.”

“No, you don’t. You channeled so much power, it just…was too much at once for you.”

She frowned. “Where’s Dane?”

“He’s with Ruth.”

She glanced at the nightstand. “How did I get up here?”

“I carried you. You’ve been out for some time.”

“Oh.”

“I can sense your weakness, Juniper, and I think it’s time we had that talk we’ve been avoiding.”

“I know what you’re going to say.”

“The spells are draining you.”

She grimaced. “I know. You’re right. I’ve been thinking about it too. Blood might be the only way I’ll be able to keep going at this pace. But does it have to be Danny’s blood?”

Adriel stilled. The repugnant thought of Juniper’s first feeding coming from that greasy male mortal’s vein was unacceptable. It should be with someone she trusted. She supposed Dane could do it, but that also wasn’t ideal. His blood was relatively mild compared to… “I will do it. My blood is strongest.”

Juniper dropped her gaze, and uncertainty nipped at Adriel.

“If you would prefer a male?—”

“No, it’s not that. I’d rather it be you. I’m just, nervous, I guess. What if my body rejects it?”

“It won’t. Even basic mortals can digest our blood with little issue.”

“But what if I don’t like it?”

“You have immortality in your veins, June. Chances are you’ll like it.”

She blushed. “What if I like it too much?”

Now, it was Adriel’s turn to blush. “Juniper, there’s no shame in meeting your natural needs. Your body has likely been starving for proper sustenance. If you enjoy it, that’s probably why.”

“My aunts warned me this day would come. It just feels…awkward.”

“It’s just us here. There’s no reason to feel self-conscious. I’ll help you.” Adriel rolled up her sleeve and gave Juniper a nervous smile. Now, she was the one suddenly self-conscious. “Are you ready? ”

Their gazes met, and an intense understanding passed between them. This would be Juniper’s first time, a moment she might never forget. Adriel wanted to make sure nothing went wrong.

“I’ll…open the vein for you, then all you need to do is drink. The rest will come naturally.”

Juniper swallowed and gave a tight nod, shifting to sit up on the bed. “I’m ready.”

Adriel’s fangs elongated, but she hesitated. “Before we start, can you check the protection spell? Feeding tends to leave us a bit vulnerable.”

“Oh.” She frowned. “Sorry. It must have shifted when I lost consciousness. I fixed it.”

“Thank you. Now, let’s replenish your strength.” She bit into her wrist, and a slow trickle seeped from the twin punctures. “Go ahead.”

The bed shifted as Juniper leaned forward, her stare bouncing from Adriel’s wrist to her face. The soft scent of vulnerability tinged the air as the braid adorned with the feather draped past Juniper’s shoulder. When the downy tip grazed Adriel’s skin, her breath caught.

At first, she assumed the scent of vulnerability came from Juniper, but she realized it was her own uncertainty she sensed. Light and sweet, she couldn’t recall the last time anyone drew such a scent from her.

“I’m a bit nervous,” she admitted, surprised by the response she was having to her nearness .

Juniper looked up at her, her eyes unsure. “Why? If you don’t want to do this, Ade?—”

“I want to.” Perhaps she wanted to do this more than she’d admitted. “Go ahead.”

Something unspoken passed between them. Adriel’s gaze dropped to the racing pulse below her jaw. The sweet air darkened with a heady scent she didn’t recognize as her insides warmed like hot honey.

The delicate, feminine scent of Juniper’s hair perfumed the air between them as she leaned closer. Adriel’s breath turned shallow and caught at the first touch of her mouth to her skin. She swallowed, unsure why her emotions were riding on a razor’s edge of sensation.

The first sweep of her tongue might as well have been across her lips. The sensation of her mouth closing over her wrist was so sharp and erotic, Adriel started to panic. She nearly pulled away, but Juniper’s grip tightened.

“Mmm,” she softly moaned after stealing a tiny sip and licking her lips. “It’s not at all what I expected.” She pressed her fingers to her lips and smiled. “You taste so sweet but earthy, like cinnamon sugar and cloves.”

Adriel tried to maintain a clinical tone but her voice quivered. “Y-you’ll need more than one single lick.”

Her gaze got lost in the dusting of freckles across Juniper’s nose. Her full lips darkened around the edges, and the thick line of her lashes accentuated her deep-set eyes in a way that entranced Adriel. She had never noticed how gorgeous Juniper was, but now it seemed all she could see.

“Maybe if we…” Juniper glanced at the pillows. “Is it weird if we lay down?”

“Not at all.” She cleared her throat, once again second-guessing herself. We can do it however you’re most comfortable.”

Juniper scooted to the center of the bed and turned to face the far wall, giving Adriel room at the edge to lay her body behind hers. “Like this?” She looked back with such trust in her eyes that it stole Adriel’s breath away.

Throat suddenly tight, she nodded.

They rested on their sides, staring straight ahead, swallowed by the heavy silence. Adriel scooted closer, aligning her body with Juniper’s. She slowly draped her arm over her and swallowed.

Juniper took her wrist and pulled it closer to her mouth. Her breath fanned across Adriel’s skin, and chills chased across her chest. The bed creaked as she adjusted her position so they lay even closer. Juniper’s heartbeat fluttered erratically. “Is this okay?”

Adriel stared over her shoulder, afraid to look anywhere else. “I offer my blood freely to you, Juniper. Please take all that you need.”

Her delicate mouth closed over Adriel's vein, and she sucked in a sharp breath, this time somehow more excruciatingly poignant than the last .

“Did I hurt you?”

“No. It just felt…different than other times.”

“Oh. Sorry.” She nestled closer, a soft flush tinging her cheeks. “I’ll try to be quick.”

“No rush.” Adriel breathed in the soft scent of her hair. With her belly pressed so close to her back, she worried she might feel how it fluttered and swooped with each gentle sip. Something warm twisted inside of her. She leaned closer and whispered, “You smell like the rain.”

A soft moan answered as her lips pressed tighter to her flesh. Every pull of her warm mouth made a delicate kissing sound, awakening something inside Adriel.

What was happening?

She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, her free hand gently sifting through her hair. “You’re doing very good.”

She loved the scent of rain when it first hit the earth. Juniper had the same fresh scent, perhaps because she was soft and delicate, one with the elements.

She’d been so frightened when she collapsed in the kitchen. The thought of anything happening to her was too terrifying to entertain. Adriel shyly lay a hand over her and a wave of satisfaction washed through her.

“We need you at your strongest.” Her fingers loosely twirled a strand of her hair. “You take as much as you need.”

Adriel looked up at the headboard, but there was no making sense of the feelings rushing through her. She had no basis for comparison. Her body was hot and needy. She didn’t trust herself to move.

Juniper released her wrist all too soon. She twisted, turning her body so they faced each other. Adriel searched her eyes, unsure why she was looking at her in such a way. It was like being caught in a secret where only the two of them existed.

Juniper smiled and slid a hand into her hair. “Is this too close?”

Her heart stilled, unsure of her intentions. Their breath mingled as Adriel shook her head. It was purely indecent, but she couldn’t pull herself away. She needed to know what would happen next.

Her fingers laced together with hers. “I’ve never done this before,” she whispered.

It seemed clear she wasn’t speaking of feeding anymore. Perhaps this was a good time to point out their age difference and the fact that they were both female. But Adriel remained quiet, her heart now thumping wildly against her ribs.

“My heart is beating so fast,” she whispered, unsure what else to say.

Juniper cocked her head and laughed. “I can hear it. Is that from the blood?”

“Feeding does have a way of heightening the senses.” Her throat was parched but she was too nervous to swallow.

She hooked her ankle around Adriel’s leg and pulled her closer. “I get it now, what you were saying about feeding being intimate."

One of them needed to be sensible. “Juniper…”

She traced her eyebrow as she held her stare. “Is this too much?” She tightened her leg and trailed her finger down Adriel’s cheek. “I can stop if you want me to.”

Adriel did not want her to stop. The air tinged with a sultry spice the more she touched her. No one had ever caressed her so gently. When her finger traced over her lashes, she closed her eyes. Something similar to fear bounced inside of her.

“Juniper, what are we doing?”

She laughed, the sound soft and warm, not at all mocking. “I don’t know, but I like it.”

Adriel opened her eyes. Their mouths were a mere inch apart. Everything stilled when Juniper slowly leaned closer. Her lips brushed Adriel’s, and she drew back, her fingers rushing to her mouth.

“Was that not okay?”

How could she explain that after all these years, she’d never been kissed before. Perhaps her mother and father had shown her affection when she was young, but she had no memory of such things. Cerberus certainly hadn’t treated her with kisses.

Embarrassment swamped her. “I’m afraid I…don’t have experience with this.”

“Me neither. I’ve only ever kissed guys. ”

She looked down, ashamed. “I’ve never kissed anyone, save my son when he was young.”

Juniper caught her chin. “Hey, don’t hide.” She smiled. “I wouldn’t have kissed anyone on that farm either.”

She laughed. “That isn’t exactly why.”

“Then why? You’re beautiful. I’m sure plenty of people fantasized about kissing you.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Hey.” She nodded. “I see you, Adriel. You are, without a doubt, one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever met.”

She licked her lips, unsure where to turn her eyes. “You’re making me blush.”

“Good. You look pretty with a little color on your cheeks.” She caressed her cheekbone with the backs of her fingers.

“I’m ignorant when it comes to such things.”

“You’re innocent. There’s a difference.”

“I’m not. I have experience?—”

“With this? Has anyone ever simply touched you for the pleasure of it.”

Her vision blurred as that painful realization twisted like a knife in her heart. “No. I’ve never known that kind of pleasure.”

“Shut your eyes,” she whispered, and Adriel did.

Her breath hitched when Juniper’s fingers softly trailed over her cheek and down to her throat. Tears built in her eyes at such loving affection. Juniper slowly traced every feature and curve. When her fingertip trailed over her mouth, Adriel’s lips parted.

“Can I kiss you again?”

Adriel barely nodded, afraid the slightest movement might spoil the moment.

Warm breath fanned across her lips, and then there was soft pressure. Her lips were full and slightly damp, but she liked the way it felt. Juniper leisurely opened and closed her mouth, showing Adriel what to do. She mimicked the motion, and a delicate, encouraging moan whispered from Juniper’s mouth into hers.

The elusive tip of her tongue teased passed her lips. Playful and intentional. Juniper’s mouth curved into a smile, laughing softly, the sound as gentle as delicate windchimes in the distance. Nibbling at her lower lip and coaxing her way inside.

Toes pointed, and calves flexed as their bodies entwined. Sensation rolled through her, warm and buttery, as her hands climbed over her hips and squeezed with promise.

An unsure whimper escaped Adriel’s throat as her hand trailed along the hem of her clothing.

“You have the softest lips,” Juniper whispered, drawing back to look into her eyes. She returned to place several small kisses on her mouth and jaw, her nose teasing close to her ears and her words sending chills down her arms. “How was that?”

A hundred words rushed through her head. Soft. Pretty. Loving. Gentle. Passionate. Awakening. Scary. Exhilarating. Heart racing, she tried to say just one out loud.

Her overheated body ached in a way she never experienced. She didn’t want her to stop, but she also thought they should. Nothing should feel this nice. Nothing ever had.

“Did you not like it?” she asked, a tinge of insecurity intruding.

“No, I did. Very much,” Adriel quickly assured.

Juniper smiled and searched her face. “Was it…okay?”

It went far beyond okay. “It was…” She thought of the right word. Delicious. Decadent. Thrilling. Lovely. But when she tried to choose one she panicked and said, “Wet.” Her face burned, and laughter bubbled between them.

“There’s a word for it.” Juniper nuzzled her nose alongside hers, dragging her body in ways that made Adriel aware of the places she never gave much thought. Warm breath teased the shell of her ear as teeth tenderly pulled at the lobe of her ear. Quietly, she whispered, “Your kisses make me wet.”

Adriel’s breath caught. “June?”

“Hmm?” Her hands shifted over her clothes, slowly revealing sensitive patches of flesh as if by accident, but her evident desire sweetened the air like honeysuckle on a breeze.

“Are we allowed to do this?”

Warm fingers teased beneath the hem of her shirt. “Who’s going to stop us? ”

Excellent question.

Her hand stilled. “Unless… Do you want to stop?”

She wanted relief. “No.”

“Good. Me neither.”

Pressure built deep in Adriel’s core as their legs casually scissored back and forth. Her body was suddenly scorching. Between the sultry kisses and how her limbs entwined perfectly with hers, her skin was ablaze. Every caress left a trail of shivers in its wake despite how her insides burned.

Clothing abraded her sensitized skin. There were too many layers between them. Ravenous need built into a throbbing pulse that pounded through her entire body. She wanted to rip their garments off and pull her closer—flesh to flesh—until Juniper was all she felt.

Her body quivered with such yearning. The torrid thoughts racing through her head explicitly depicted visions of ecstasy she had no experience doing. When she closed her eyes, bright colors flashed in her mind. Shivers and heat. Desire and surrender. Existence became an endless push and pull. She felt parts of her swell like the tide’s ebb and flow. She wanted to give in and wash away.

Juniper devoured her with kisses, trailing needy pecks along her jaw then returning to her mouth in a way that took command. Adriel surrendered control, trusting her to know what felt best. Their lips fit together like a jigsaw puzzle cut from a masterpiece.

The fevered pulse inside of her grew, blooming into an untamable ache. She looked at her with smoldering need, her hands pressing lower where the pressure throbbed.

“Do you like this?”

Her heart raced so fast it trembled. She liked it too much and feared appearing too eager. Adriel gasped as Juniper’s thumb dragged slowly over her shirt, drawing both their attention to the turgid press of her nipple beneath the fabric.

Her gaze dropped, and she grinned, a soft laugh vibrating from her throat. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

She shuddered, her grip tightening along her hip as she turned her fingers and gently pinched the tip. It was madness. How could one touch feel so incredible?

Her pulse raced as she clung to sanity. Her insides melted as her skin continued to burn. The ache bloomed and swelled until her entire body quivered with tremors she could not contain.

Juniper’s hand slipped behind her neck, hauling her closer. She seized her mouth with an unmistakable desire that consumed her. The slow burn building inside of Adriel ignited into something far more potent as she reveled in the pleasure-pain of wanting things only Juniper seemed capable of delivering.

The way she possessively cupped her breast did not bother her. It was different in every way. What they were doing was wicked. There could be no other word for it.

Her thumb dragged over the sharp tip of her breast and Adriel arched closer, pressing her body firmly into her caress. Juniper fit her knee between her legs, and the building pressure reveled in the pressure, her body naturally seeking friction.

She clutched her shoulder as shallow breaths collected in her lungs. So overwhelmed with pleasure, she forgot how to breathe.

“You can make noise,” June whispered, rubbing and caressing as she embraced her in an ever-moving grip. “Don’t feel like you have to hold it in.”

Her eyes closed as her lips parted on a shy moan. Soft hands combed down her sides and gently encircled her hips, but they didn’t linger long. Her velvety skin brushed hers where their clothing had shifted and something electric bolted through her.

Lush, silken kisses left her dizzy. It was too much and also not enough. She gripped her shirt, moaning into her mouth. The unquenchable thirst for more grew, and grew.

Her body was supple and soft. Her touch fervent and skilled. Primal awareness kicked in and she yanked her closer. She wanted all of her, in every possible way.

Juniper’s soft laughter whispered in the slight space between them where only heat and desire could survive. Insatiable greed grew inside of Adriel. The unyielding hunger to kiss, lick, taste, and bite her left her ravenous.

She was a raw nerve. Every touch was excruciating. Too much and never enough. She needed more. Urgent need overwhelmed her as their bodies rocked until the all-consuming need awoke the animal inside of her.

With a growl, she flipped Juniper to her back and pinned her arms at her sides. A flash of uncertainty blazed in her violet eyes.

“Did I hurt you?”

“No.”

Adriel slowly lowered her head, delivering a kiss of her own. Her body dragged over Juniper’s, pressing deliciously where she needed friction most. Their breasts collided as the urge for more built and built.

Fingers teased through her hair as Juniper held her close. The possessive way she touched her had her fangs elongated. Juniper yipped and Adriel quickly turned her face away, panting.

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize.” She touched her lips, and when she pulled her fingertips away, she revealed a drop of blood.

Mortification stole through her, cold and alarming. “You’re bleeding.”

“I’m fine.”

It wasn’t. She shouldn’t have done that. Juniper had legitimate fears and did not want to be bit .

“Hey.” She cupped her face, forcing her to look down at her and meet her eyes. “I’m okay. We were having fun.”

Fun… When was the last time Adriel considered anything fun? It had been too long to remember. “I didn’t mean to bite you.”

“I didn’t mind. It’s who you are.”

She lowered her lashes, knowing full well Juniper hated what she was despite the immortality in her own blood. Then her heart stilled as Juniper’s hand moved closer to her mouth, her thumb gliding lightly over the sharp tip of her fang.

“Will I get them?”

It was the first time she sensed any kind of acceptance from her. “I’d assume, but Dane would know best.”

Her finger trailed to her throat. Adriel’s pulse raced. She watched her curiosity shift as she slowly explored the throbbing vein in her throat, and then her stare met hers. “I want to feed you.”

Fiery heat blazed inside of her. “That’s not necessary?—”

“I want to. I want to know what it feels like when…” Her gaze dropped to her lips. “…you to take it from me.”

What if it wasn’t? What if her bite triggered memories from whatever happened to her in that cell. Adriel could never forgive herself if she hurt her. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“You don’t want to try?”

“It’s not that.” She ached with the desire to taste her. “It might not have the effect you’re expecting.”

She recalled moments of her own fear and pain as Cerberus bit into her flesh and pulled so hard her veins collapsed. She remembered being too scared to make a sound as tears silently fell from her eyes. How she waited for it to be over, wondering why it was not as she’d expected.

She couldn’t chance such feelings between her and Juniper.

Adriel turned her head, exposing her throat. “Take as much as you need.”

“But—”

Her claw sliced open her vein. “I like the way your mouth feels, Juniper. There’s no risk of you hurting me this way.”

She sensed she wanted to argue but, instead, her breath turned labored and she cursed, “Fuck, why is the sight of you like this so hot?” Her mouth rushed to her throat, impatiently licking and sucking.

Adriel gasped, startled by her eagerness. The blunt, straight edge of her teeth scraped over her skin as her fingers forked through her hair. It was clear the licks were intentional, fueled by desire more than hunger.

Adriel moaned at the delicious pull of her kisses and thrilled at the teasing trace of her tongue. Her stomach clenched, and she slowly rocked into her.

Juniper sighed, whispered murmurs passing between them, each one sending a thrill of ecstasy to Adriel’s core. Their spines undulating in a slow wave as their bodies rode the potent current of lust and desire. Need built into a searing wave of heat inside of her. She had no idea how to satisfy the burn or let it out, but the longer Juniper drew her blood, the hotter her body became.

She wanted it to go on forever, yet desperately sought the end. “Juniper, something’s happening to me.”

“It’s okay,” she rasped, licking and sucking at her neck. Her hand wedged between Adriel’s thighs, pressing and rubbing, and the wave of heat burned hotter and bigger until it was more than she could contain.

A gasp of surprise tripped past her lips as Juniper’s touch grazed her flesh. The barrier of her clothing was an inconsequential barricade, the fabric now damp with arousal and only adding decadent friction.

Short, shallow breaths panted past her lips. Wet and winded, something came over her. Juniper’s mouth sucked harder as she rubbed her fingers against Adriel’s core. Color exploded behind Adriel’s eyes as she moaned and thrust her hips, grinding her body against hers. Nerves danced and sparked and then…peace.

It rumbled through her like thunder on a soft breeze, turning over parts of her that had never moved before. She gasped with startled joy. Who knew her body could feel that? Nothing had ever felt so good, as if she were falling into heaven .

“I’ve got you,” Juniper whispered, pulling her closer. “Let it go.” Her arms wrapped protectively around her, drawing her into a hug.

The pressure eased from her bones and her muscles clenched as kisses pressed to her hair. Only then did she understand. This was how it was supposed to be between lovers. Intimate. Safe. Mutual. Intoxicating. This was unlike anything she’d ever shared, and she was certain this was not what existed between mere friends.